Rhys Priestland joined the Scarlets at the age of 18 having played for Llandeilo RFC and Carmarthen Athletics and went on to represent Wales under-19 and under-20.

He made his debut against Exeter Chiefs in a pre-season match at the start of the 2007/08 season, going on to make 19 appearances in that campaign. Priestland continued to play an important role in the Scarlets squad, either at fullback or in his preferred position of fly-half.

The absence of Stephen Jones due to injury at the end of 2010 gave Priestland the opportunity for an extended run at fly-half and he impressed sufficiently to be called up ahead of Ospreys' Dan Biggar for the 2011 Six Nations, despite the eventual return to action of Jones.

Having watched from the bench as Wales lost their opening game against England, Priestland made his debut as a substitute for fullback Lee Byrne a week later in the victory over Scotland.

Going into the World Cup, Priestland had established himself at fly-half while Stephen Jones was injured. Despite the centurion returning to the first-team fold, Priestland kept his place at fly-half starting three of Wales' four group games. And he went on to shine in the quarter-finals against Ireland contributing 16 points to the scoreboard in the process.

Come the 2012 Six Nations, Priestland kept his fly-half berth and started all five of their matches. With Leigh Halfpenny taking on the kicking duties after he struggled against Ireland, Priestland surrendered that role for the rest of the tournament. But he still played an instrumental play-making role for Wales and helped them secure their Grand Slam.